Child marriage is still widespread in India. It is being argued that the increase in the minimum age of marriage for women has been done for substantial benefit at the individual and social level. The impact of this effort on the problem of eradication of child marriage needs to be assessed in future.
The data of National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5: 2019-2021) reflects the reality of the present situation.
Today Current Affairs
National Family Health Survey-5 Data
Rural and urban gap : The Hindu Analysis
According to NFHS-5 statistics, approximately 25% of women aged 18 to 29 are married before the legal age of 18.
The prevalence of child marriage is higher in rural areas (28%) than in urban areas (17%).
State of affairs : The Hindu Analysis
The highest prevalence of child marriage is in West Bengal (42%), followed by Bihar and Tripura (40% each). However, these high prevalence states have shown the greatest reduction in child marriages.
Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala on the other hand have a prevalence rate between 6% and 7%.
Education and community wise statistics : The Hindu Analysis
The highest prevalence of child marriage in India is in tribal and Dalit communities (39%). Its prevalence among the disadvantaged social groups is 17%, while the remaining prevalence is among the Other Backward Classes.
27% of illiterate women who married before the age of 18 are underweight (body mass index less than 18.5). Also, more than two-thirds (about 64%) of illiterate women suffer from iron-deficiency anaemia.
Structural factors of child marriage : The Hindu Analysis
Social and economic conditions are mainly responsible for child marriage. The association between child marriage and adverse health outcomes is driven by structural factors such as social norms, such as poverty and female education.
One of the major reasons for child marriage is poverty and heavy dowry burden on late marriages. Also, these factors interfere with the educational opportunities of a girl child, which makes child marriage more convenient.
It is also the belief of the society that women should get married soon from the point of view of security.
Child marriage is also encouraged due to financial burden and fear of tarnishing family prestige.
Efforts to stop child marriage : The Hindu Analysis
Most of the states have adopted the policy of ‘Conditional Cash Transfers’ (CCTs) for the last two decades to prevent child marriage. Through this, the government tried to implement a ‘uniform policy on all’, which is not a practical method. In fact, the policy of cash transfer has not proved effective for adolescent girls.
The Karnataka government has amended the ‘Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2017’ to make ‘child marriage’ a cognizable offense and set a minimum of rigorous imprisonment for those promoting child marriage.
In this direction, the government has also made efforts like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.
The government had started ‘Mahila Samakhya Programme’ in the year 1988. Its objective was to promote women’s education and their empowerment in the socio-economically backward rural areas of the country. The program was based on ‘Community Engagement’ of women.
The minimum age of marriage for women has been increased from 18 to 21 years. Public health dividends can be obtained from marriage at age 21.
Solution : The Hindu Analysis
Ensuring minimum 12 years of education for women.
Secondary education should be expanded and adolescent girls should be sent to school regularly.
Governments to expand residential schools, girls’ hostels and public transport network to underprivileged areas of the country.
With this the girl child will not be compelled to leave education in the middle.
Improving the education of women and providing them with modern skills.
This will increase employment potential and improve health and nutrition.
Education is important for individual liberty and social well-being and it contributes to human development.
Need to focus on schemes that reduce the financial burden of marriage.
However, the eligibility criteria for these schemes must be related to attainment of education other than age.
Will and insights like Janani Suraksha Yojana and elimination of open defecation need to be adopted in the case of child marriage as well.
Way Forward : The Hindu Analysis
‘Group study’ should be promoted by forming women’s clubs in secondary and higher secondary schools, so that awareness against child marriage can be increased through ideological exchange.
Programs and lectures should be organized by the teachers in the schools on the topic ‘Gender Equality’, so that ‘Progressive Attitude’ can be developed in the children towards women.
Children’s Village Assemblies established in about 2.5 lakh gram panchayats of the country can prove to be a better platform against child marriage across the country.
Employees of various departments, who regularly interact with the rural people, should be appointed as ‘Child Marriage Prohibition Officers’.
Rights to register births and marriages should be decentralized and these rights should be given to Gram Panchayats, so that their rights can be ensured practically to girls.
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